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12/29/2004
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1) DECLARATION: ARF Artsakh Central Committee
2) Balkan Pipeline Would Serve as Alternative to Turkish Ports
3) Greece No Longer Considered Top Threat to Turkey
4) Possible EU Condition on Turkey Ruffles Azeris
5) 2004 HyeRock LA Festival to Feature Charity Concert

1) DECLARATION: ARF Artsakh Central Committee

Dear Compatriots,

A politically motivated appointment is among the cabinet changes recently
made
by the president of Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR). Viewing the move as a
troublesome precedent, the ARF Artsakh Central Committee finds it necessary to
present the facts and its stance to the public.
On December 16, 2004, during an address to top state officials, MKR President
Arkady Ghukasian expressed disappointment with his government, accusing it of
ongoing corruption and proposing to counter it with structural and cabinet
changes. Astonishingly, days after his address, Ghukasian met with Minister of
Education, Culture, and Sport Armen Sargsyan, who is also a member of the ARF,
and despite praising his job performance, relieved him of his duties and
instead offered the minister the position of presidential advisor.
The official explanation for the president’s action is that, within the
context of the 2005 parliamentary elections, Sargsyan’s inclusion in the
cabinet as a member of an independent political party represents a conflict of
interest. The president seeks to create the impression that Sargsyan’s
termination is part of his fight against corruption. In fact, Ghukasian is
perturbed by the successes of the ARF and other democratic entities in past
local elections, and fears similar results in the upcoming parliamentary
elections. The offer to appoint Sargsyan as presidential advisor has been
refused by the ARF Artsakh Central Committee.
In recent years, there has been cooperation between the presidency of MKR and
the ARF Artsakh Central Committee. Sometimes the ARF has disagreed with
Ghukasian’s domestic policies, but has, nonetheless, supported the
president in
the foremost interests of the people of newly independent Artsakh. The ARF
Artsakh Central Committee has believed that it can be of benefit to the
republic’s government, and sometimes help the president to reconsider certain
hastily taken decisions. It is painful to note that at this critical juncture,
the person at the helm of MKR has failed to grasp the significance of his
mission, and not stoop to petty politicking. The president has failed to
become
a symbol of unity and harmony. With his recent action, Ghukasian has clearly
impelled the ARF, the progressive force of Artsakh, to oppose him. The
president’s action also indicates a failure to understand the local and
international importance of free, legal, and democratic elections in Artsakh.
Once again stating its stance on the issues of international recognition of
Artsakh’s self-determination, stability, the strengthening of its governance,
and economic prosperity, the ARF Artsakh Central Committee has resolved the
following:

1) In response to the politically motivated step taken by the president of
MKR
against the ARF, to recall ARF representatives serving in top levels of
government executive.

2) In view of the fact that a complete break would be counterproductive at
the
moment, to continue to have ARF representation in the president’s Security
Council. In the latter instance, the ARF’s decision is not self-serving and,
for understandable reasons, we consider maintaining our representation in the
Security Council as entirely rightful.

In the event of worsening future relations, the responsibility falls on MKR
president Arkady Ghukasian.

ARF Artsakh Central Committee
Stepanakert
December 29, 2004

2) Balkan Pipeline Would Serve as Alternative to Turkish Ports

Nano, Saxe-Coburg, and Macedonia’s Vlado Buckovski shaking on the deal
Tuesday.

SOFIA (AP/Balkanalysis)–Bulgaria, Albania, and Macedonia gave political
support on Tuesday to a $1.2 billion private trans-Balkan oil pipeline project
that aims to allow alternative ports for the shipping of Russian and Caspian
oil, which normally goes through Turkish ports.
Representatives from the three small Balkan states signed a declaration
giving
the green light to the US-registered Albanian Macedonian Bulgarian Oil Corp.,
AMBO, to launch the 912-kilometer pipeline between Bulgaria’s Black Sea
port of
Burgas and Vlore, on Albania’s Adriatic coast.
“This is one of the most important infrastructure projects for regional, EU,
and Euro-Atlantic integration for the western Balkans,” Albanian Prime
Minister
Fatos Nano told reporters.
Tankers ferrying oil to the Mediterranean and further west are currently
subject to frequent and costly delays as they travel through the Bosporus and
Dardanelles straits.
The long-delayed underground line, expected to begin operation in early 2008,
will be able to move up to 750,000 barrels of oil per day.
The first obstacle was the preoccupation of relevant parties during the
Clinton
Administration with the massive Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in Anatolia. Then
came the wars in Kosovo and Macedonia in 1999 and 2001, which left investors
jittery. Now that the situation seems to have stabilized, however, the future
looks bright for AMBO.
AMBO said it had already secured some $900 million from the US government
development agency Overseas Private Investment Corp., US Eximbank, and through
a syndicated loan arranged by Credit Suisse First Boston.
The remaining 25 percent of the funding will be raised by attracting private
equity investors and a new company, which will operate the pipeline on behalf
of the shareholders in one year’s time, said AMBO President Ted Ferguson.
Oil giants operating in the Caspian region like ChevronTexaco, ExxonMobil,
and
BP, have long sought alternative routes to the Bosporus and Dardanelles
straits.
The pipeline was first discussed in 1994, but was delayed due to a lack of
political backing by the countries involved. The construction of the pipeline,
expected to start in a year, will not preclude another pipeline to carry
Russian oil from Burgas to the northeastern Greek port of Alexandroupolis
which
is now under discussion.
“We all know that Bosporus will sooner or later reach a point of saturation,
so any bypass will be welcome,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg
said.
That pipeline, a 256-kilometer route with capacity of 700,000 bpd, should be
built and run jointly by Bulgaria, Russia, and Greece, but so far the three
countries have failed to reach agreement on how to structure the 700 million
euro ($954.7 million) project.

3) Greece No Longer Considered Top Threat to Turkey

Diaspora population considered fundamental problem with Armenians

ANKARA–According to Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper, a secret National Security
Council memo cites that Greece no longer poses the top security concern to
Turkey. Iran has instead moved into that position with its powerful Shahab-3
ballistic missile that reportedly has a range between 1,300 and 1,500
kilometers.
The change, according to the document that addresses Turkey’s security
matters, is based on recent political analyses and reviews, and incidentally
results in Greece’s removal from that top position it has held for the past 82
years; the document, nevertheless, maintains that “there exists the
probability
of conflict with Greece.”
On Armenia, Turkish National Security Council experts agree that, in fact,
there exist no fundamental issues with the neighboring country, but that the
problem lies with its diaspora Armenians. According the Turks, the borders
with
Armenia remain closed because of Armenia’s policy on Azerbaijan.
The memo stresses the necessity to not only strengthen ties with Russia, but
also step-up its influence on developing countries so as not to see a
continuation of the discord that was created in the past with Uzbekistan and
Turkmenistan.
The Hurriyet article points out that there is not mention of Turkish
religious
minorities or sects in the memo.

4) Possible EU Conditions on Turkey Ruffles Azeris

According to the Turkish Zaman newspaper, talk of a possible opening of
Turkey’s border with Armenia–in the wake of the European Union’s (EU)
decision
to begin accession talks with Turkey–has become a big issue in Azerbaijan.
While a public opinion poll reveals that the majority of Azeris oppose any
concession by Turkey on the issue, politicians have also been vocal.
“As long as Armenians do not withdraw from Azerbaijani territories, the
Turkey-Armenian borders should not be opened,” said a spokesman for
Azerbaijan’s parliament Murtiz Alesgerov, adding that if negotiations do not
resolve the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, then Azeris would regain their
territory through military means.
Addressing the border issue, Azeri parliament president Aleskerov told a
group
of Turkish journalists, “Armenians are Armenians and the enemy is the enemy;
there can’t be anything else…If Armenians do not withdraw from the occupied
territories, Turkey will not open the borders towards that country. This issue
shapes Turkey’s main policy. Turkey will be loyal to this issue.”

5) 2004 HyeRock LA Festival to Feature Charity Concert

Artists for Kids Foundation Gathers Hot Local Bands for December 30 Benefit

By Jenny Kiljian

After more than ten years of working together in an unofficial capacity, a
dynamic team of visual and musical artists decided to form a non-profit
organization in order to better serve the international Armenian artistic
community, and children who have an interest or talent in the arts.
The Artists for Kids Foundation began with the collective vision of architect
Aram Alajajian, graphic designer and publisher Tom Hovespian, and musician
Arthur Meschian. Together with their families and friends, the group had
organized and sponsored many notable art exhibits and concerts, including a
sold-out performance by Rupen Hakhverdian at the Beyond the Stars Palace in
Glendale, California.
By early 2004, the organizing committee had grown to include Gohar
Karahagopian, Hagop Parseghian, Harry Vorperian, Anna Hovsepian, Nvart
Alajajian, Anjik Parseghian, Marina Hakopyan, Sahag Ekshian, and Jirayr
Habeshian.
According to its mission statement, the Artists for Kids Foundation was
created to build a cultural bridge between living generations by introducing
the public to exceptional artists in music and fine arts. Those involved with
the Artists for Kids Foundation believe that through the preservation and
promotion of artistic values, a kinder society will be fostered.
It’s with this goal in mind that the Artists for Kids Foundation is hosting
the 2004 Annual HyeRock Festival, taking place on December 30 at the Henry
Fonda Music Box Theater in Hollywood. Organizers tapped In Progress. . . , Red
Snow, Aviatic, the Gor Band, and Non-Eye, to take center stage that night.
Each
band caters to different age groups and musical inclinations.
Jirayr Habeshian, charged with producing the concert, forecasts a monumental
evening of music. “We’re bringing some of today’s youth to the concert and
having them see first-hand both the up-and-coming performers and the more
veteran rock musicians with Armenian backgrounds,” he said.
Habeshian, formerly the drummer of Red Snow, and currently working with the
Gor Band, says it was an organization such as the Artists for Kids Foundation
that was missing in his development as an artist. “I think the only thing
lacking for me, growing up as a rock musician was support. Within the Armenan
community, in general, there’s been a narrow vision of what the culture is in
respect to the arts, and I feel it’s much more broad,” said Habeshian, a real
estate agent, who has been involved in Homenetmen and Pyunic. “We have a
lot of
talented artists in all genres–music, scultpure, painting, the motion picture
industry, architecture–yet only a handful of Armenians know of the existence
of these people.”
The 2004 HyeRock Festival, according to Habeshian, is intended to introduce
the younger generations to the Artists for Kids Foundation and “to let them
know that alongside some of the existing organizations, there’s one with the
specific mission statement for youth who want to pursue the arts.”
2005 will also be a busy year for the Artists for Kids Foundation. Slated for
February is “Free Concert for Kids,” a two-night event featuring Rupen
Hakhverdian, which will coincide with the release of the renowned musician’s
new children’s album. A concert similar to the HyeRock Festival will take
place
in Armenia during the summer. The organization also promises assorted smaller
concerts throughout the year and, of course, the Annual HyeRock Festival.

HyeRock Festival 2004 at Henry Fonda Music Box Theater in Hollywood
December 30–7 p.m.

To reserve tickets call 818-523-9995 or 818-240-1515.

Featured Bands:

NON-EYE

Non-Eye was formed in mid-2004, with Hayk on vocals and guitar, Chris on
drums, and Narek on bass. The influence of the Armenian culture is apparent in
Non-Eye’s music, and the band cites Aram Khachaturian as one of its influences
along with System Of A Down, TOOL, and Rush. “This is a great opportunity
given
to us by the Artists for Kids Foundation, for our music to be heard on a
greater stage so early in our development,” said Hayk. “We hope to bring our
music to a more diverse audience and continue our progress as band.”

IN PROGRESS. . .

In Progress. . . has been working together since 2002. The acoustic folk rock
band comprises Mher Ajamian on percussion, Ara Dabandjian on lead guitar and
keyboards, Shant Mahserejian on violin, and Jeremy Millado on bass, while Saro
Koujakian (rythm guitar) and Gars Sherbejian share vocal duties. “We feel
honored to be a part of this show, as it will feature some of the best local
Armenian bands and we’re ecstatic to be considered in such talented company,”
said Mher Ajamian. “We’re also very excited about the variety of musical
styles
that will be on display. It’s for a great cause and produced by a first-class
organization.”

THE GOR BAND
This is Gor Mkhitarian’s second collaboration with the Artists for Kids
Foundation. Mkhitarian will be performing with his new band, which is Ara
Dabanjian on accordion, Vahe Terteryan on bass, and Jirayr Habeshian on drums.
Also with the Gor Band at the HyeRock Festival will be Jay Dean on guitar.
“It’s very exciting, but difficult at the same time because ours is the only
[Armenian] folk band. We’re not sure how that contrast will play out,” says
Mkhitarian. “No matter what, we’re glad to be doing something for the kids.”

AVIATIC

When their former bands parted ways, the members of Aviatic saw a tremendous
opportunity ahead of them. The band, with Sebu Simonian on vocals and
keyboards, Barrett Yeretsian on drums, Ryan Welker on guitars, and Clint
Feddersen on bass, has been working diligently to produce its first album.
“We’re very excited to play the HyeRock Festival and encouraged by any effort
to promote rock music in the local community, especially when there’s a such a
good cause attached to it,” says Simonian. “We’re looking forward to taking
the
stage at the glorious Henry Fonda Theater. It’s a beautiful piece of
architecture in the heart of historic Hollywood, and boasts one of the best
sound systems in all of Southern California. I can’t wait to blast our music
through it.”

RED SNOW

The intensity of Red Snow’s performances has been creating a flurry in the
Los
Angeles music scene. The band, which recently released its album Showtime
Motel, is LaLa Avedis on vocals, Vahe Marzbetuny on guitars, Shant Sarkissian
on drums, Jack Kurdian on keyboards, and Zareh Marzbetuny on bass. “We would
like to express our gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such a
worthwhile event. An event like this is a dream come true, and will showcase
the talents of Armenian rock,” said Vahe Marzbetuny. “We’re confident we can
motivate the youth to embrace rock music and support such a worthy cause such
as the Artists for Kids Foundation. We’re looking forward to seeing all our
fellow Hye brothers and sisters at the show.”

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress